The Tallest Mammal In the World Is Silently Going Extinct. Does Anyone Care?

chalc3d0ny

By chalc3d0ny

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When you think of endangered animals in Africa, the classic elephants and rhinos probably come to your mind first. Yet there is another iconic African animal which has been flying under the radar for years when it comes to population decline, and whichÂ needs our help.

In 1999, there were around 140,000 giraffes in Africa. Today, the population has plummeted to an estimated 80,000 giraffes left in Africa. Thatâ€™s a 40% drop in just the last 15 yearsÂ – butÂ no one is talking about it.

The Silent Extinction

As the human population grows, the population of theÂ world’s tallest mammal declines almost by default. A stronger human presence means more settlements, roads, and destruction of the giraffeâ€™s natural habitat and main source of food, the acacia tree. A large portion of giraffeÂ habitat is now being used for agricultural purposes, depriving these gentle giants of even their homes.

Poaching also remains a huge problem for giraffes in Africa, as well as other endangered species, and despite effortsÂ to contain it. Â Because giraffes are so easily killed, they are a popular target for poachers looking for a quick reward. Â Many are killedÂ for this reason, as well as for the meat and hides, which are lucrative but requireÂ little effort needed to obtain them. The tail of a giraffe, which is used to make bracelets, fly whisks, and thread, is a prized commodity for many African cultures. Â People in Tanzania actually believe that consuming giraffe brains and bone marrow acts as a cureÂ for HIV, adding to the giraffe’s valueÂ for poachers, who can get up to $140 per piece.

There is widespread misconception that giraffes are roaming everywhere in Africa, but that is simply not true. Giraffes are subject to the same poaching and habitat fragmentation that all African wildlife is exposed to, yet they get so little attention in the media. We all know the plight of the elephant and rhino; isnâ€™t it time to focus on the giraffe before itâ€™s too late?

â˜… Protect African Animals From Poachers â˜…

Despite laws ensuring their protection, many species of African wildlife are still being hunted illegally, including the giraffe.

Non-governmental organizations, like the International Fund for Animal Welfare, are stepping in to help overwhelmed and underfunded governments when it comes to poaching regulations. IFAW has supported specialized anti-poaching training, and works with local agencies to promote training efforts and other initiatives to reduce illegal trade of animals on a continent-wide basis.